Tuesday, January 19, 2010

because it's not all about me

After a morning begun at 6:00 and unable to get back to sleep, I had the most unusual start to my day: a quiet time. They have gone by the wayside in recent... I want to say weeks, but if I am being honest, it has been months. I reached a point of frustrated and discouraged tears again last night and was filled with irritation at myself for letting my circumstances dictate my attitude and response to life.

Six in the morning found me lying on my back, mentally confessing my preoccupation with... myself. In all the various forms that takes. It took me a while. And then I grabbed a robe, a big blankie, a box of Kleenex, and my Bible, and cuddled up on the couch after turning the fireplace on.

As an adult, I see more and more why this passage contains my mother's favorite verse:

Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup;
You have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night, my heart instructs me.
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because You will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will You let Your Holy One see decay
You have made known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
Psalm 16: 5-11

Mom's favorite is the first paragraph. I'm focusing on it today, and I lifted up many of my friends in prayer, whose lives and hurts are far more pressing than mine. My goal today is to love OTHERS better, through patience towards my son, less cussing, and the acute reminder that I do not want to get in Jesus' way when it comes to loving others... May my life not be a stumbling block for you to know Him.

3 comments:

Sharon said...

Addie,

This is a favorite of mine, also. I memorized it when my children were teens...and that second paragraph had new meaning for me as I realized God's closeness during those nighly watches and understood the power of "His right hand."

Thank you for sharing your life and knowledge...both are a blessing.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this verse. I think I will add it to my daily verse reading. Stef

Erica Burkhalter said...

Well said, Addie. And what a great reminder for me. Before the clock even reached 9:00 AM I already had to apologize twice to my son for losing my patience. Thank you for sharing and bringing my perspective back to center.